I'm having fun in Tokyo

Surprisingly, his guess actually came true.

But he didn't panic; his eyes remained calm.

Even if the person in front of him was Maki-sensei's father, he didn't owe him anything.

However, that's not quite right either.

After all, the Tsurumaru Kuninaga that Maki-sensei gave him belonged to the Hojo family.

It cannot be ruled out that the other party wants to take Tsurumaru Kuninaga back.

But Sasaki said the other party was giving him a gift, so he probably wouldn't do something like that, right?

"Hello, Mr. Hojo. My name is Morikawa Yu. I'm sure you've already seen more information, so I won't go into details," Morikawa Yu said calmly, while leaning slightly forward as a sign of politeness.

Japan places great importance on etiquette, and since the other party was Maki's father, it was perfectly acceptable to show a little respect.

"Director Sasaki said their original plan was canceled, and you're treating me to dinner. May I ask what brings you here?"

"Or perhaps my offense yesterday prompted you to offer some criticism?"

"Ah, you can't say that." Takehiro Hojo waved his hand.

"Today I just want to express my apology to you on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Department, without mentioning anything work-related."

Morikawa Yu nodded, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Is there something you need?"

“There are some, but nothing important,” Hojo Takehiro said, clapping his hands as he spoke.

Two young men dressed in black haori with shaved heads immediately emerged from the backstage area behind him, carrying a long, rectangular white sandalwood box wrapped in silk.

Morikawa Yu frowned, feeling something was off.

The chonmage (topknot) was a traditional hairstyle in Japan before the Meiji Restoration, but it was abolished afterward.

Seeing these two young men now gave him the illusion of watching a Japanese sword-fighting film.

But what surprised him even more was that he sensed a clear ringing coming from Tsurumaru Kuninaga inside the Goshuincho, as if he had encountered an "acquaintance".

Could there be a knife inside the wooden box as well?

He looked at Hojo Takehiro, only to see him have two young men place the wooden box between the two of them and then have them step back.

Hojo Takehiro stood up solemnly, parted the silk, opened the wooden box, then sat down and pushed the sandalwood box toward Morikawa Yu.

Morikawa Yu glanced at it and found that it was indeed an ancient sword, and a katana at that.

"Lord Morikawa, do you recognize it?" Hojo Takehiro asked with a smile when he saw that Morikawa Yu's gaze had been drawn to it.

Morikawa Yu shook her head decisively.

Hojo Takehiro continued to smile, while holding up the sword and presenting it to Morikawa Yu with both hands.

"This sword is named Mikazuki Munechika. It was my grandfather's beloved sword, and like the Tsurumaru Kuninaga that my daughter gave to you, it is a heirloom of the Hojo family."

Mikazuki Munechika?

Morikawa Yu's eyes narrowed.

He didn't recognize the katana, but that doesn't mean he didn't know it.

In fact, this sword was even more famous than the Tsurumaru Kuninaga he was currently holding. In his previous life, it was a national treasure of Japan and one of the renowned "Five Great Swords of Japan".

However, he actually got to know Mikazuki Munechika through "Tenka Hyakken" (Tenka Hyakken), where she was a mature woman with purple hair and a single ponytail, who was broad-minded and tolerant.

In another game called "Touken Ranbu", he is called "Grandpa" because of his advanced age. Even Tsurumaru Kuninaga's history is shorter than that of Tsurumaru Kuninaga.

However, in its previous life, it belonged to the Tokugawa family and was eventually collected by the Tokyo National Museum, becoming a designated national treasure.

The world has also changed, which suddenly made Morikawa Yu more curious about the history of Japan in this world.

Seeing the change in Morikawa Hayao's gaze, Hojo Takehiro's smile became even brighter.

"Lord Morikawa, my daughter gave you Tsurumaru a few days ago, and my grandfather praised it. Today, he asked me to bring it here as a gift for you."

"A truly valuable knife can only unleash its full power when it is in the right hands."

"Your Excellency is a swordsman praised even by Lord Ryoko, so you are naturally qualified to wield it."

"So please accept it."

Hojo Takehiro spoke, but Morikawa Yu did not believe him.

He studied swordsmanship, so of course he knew that a swordsman's sword was like a lover to him, so how could he give it away so casually?

But judging from the serious demeanor of Inspector Hojo, he didn't seem like the type to do anything outrageous, so let's just assume he was telling the truth.

Morikawa Yu took the sword from Mikazuki Munechika, drew part of the blade, looked at the gleaming blade, and nodded.

He sheathed his sword again, and at the same time heard a clear ringing sound.

Inside the Goshuin-cho (temple), the rapid clanging of a sword emanated from Tsurumaru Kuninaga, seemingly in response, yet also in resistance and dissatisfaction.

Morikawa Yu was taken aback, somewhat bewildered by Tsurumaru's reaction.

Is this jealous?

No way? No way?

Can a knife get jealous?

With all my popularity, even carrying a knife can turn me into a battlefield?

He hesitated for a moment, unsure whether he should place Mikazuki Munechika in the Goshuincho (a type of official residence).

However, considering that there were other people in the restaurant, it wouldn't be appropriate to disappear the sword in front of everyone, so he put Mikazuki Munechika into the sandalwood box.

Hojo Takehiro didn't say anything on the surface when he saw Morikawa Yu accept Mikazuki Munechika's offer, but he was secretly relieved.

Of course, Mikazuki Munechika was not something the old man wanted to give away; he went to great lengths to bring it out.

He went home to bring a knife and ran into the old man.

The old man gave him a good scolding and chased after him with a bamboo knife belonging to one of the dojo students.

If he hadn't run fast enough, and the old man hadn't been so ruthless, he wouldn't be here chatting and laughing, but lying in the hospital recovering from his injuries.

As for whether sending Mikazuki Munechika away was worthwhile, he had his own decision.

Although it was very valuable, it meant nothing to the Hojo family.

The title of "inherited item" doesn't necessarily carry much weight.

Even something he casually took from the old man's study could be described as an antique that had been passed down for hundreds of years.

But once the knife is in the other party's hands, its value changes.

Moreover, now is the time for Ryoko to train a new god, so investing a little is better than doing nothing.

Chapter 73 Emergencies

The Hojo and Kondo families have always been on good terms, so even if the other side acts a bit aggressively, there is no need to object, but one cannot simply let it go unchecked.

Morikawa Yu accepted the gift and watched as the restaurant waiters began serving the dishes.

Hojo Takehiro smiled slightly and nodded to him.

"Lord Morikawa, please have some."

......

About an hour later, Morikawa Yu left the restaurant.

He took the Mikazuki Munechika that Hojo Takehiro had given him and got into the car he had come in.

Although they weren't going to discuss official business today, Hojo Takehiro still asked him for his opinion on the Metropolitan Police Department during the meal, seeing that he had accepted Mikazuki Munechika as a disciple.

Morikawa Yu naturally understood what the other party was testing, and out of respect for Hojo Maki, he said some nice things similar to how he used to fool his boss in his previous life.

Although it's unclear how much the other party believed, the meal was at least enjoyed by both host and guests.

He sat in the back of the car, watching it start, opened the sandalwood box, grasped Mikazuki Munechika, and drew part of the blade.

He had just accepted this national treasure-level sword from his previous life, but he hadn't yet figured out what to do with it.

He is the Wind Swordsman, but not the Swordsman's older brother Yone.

Yone uses dual swords, but he doesn't.

Moreover, the most famous swordsman of the dual-wielding style is the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, whose Niten Ichi-ryu style also uses two different swords, one long and one short.

Both Tsurumaru Kuninaga and Mikazuki Munechika are tachi (long swords), and their lengths are similar, so it's not convenient to use them at the same time.

He wanted this knife because he was attracted by its great reputation in his previous life.

In terms of feel, the Tsurumaru Kuninaga figure, which has already taken his shape, is still the best to use.

He sheathed the sword and put it back into the wooden box.

Before he could even communicate with Tsurumaru Kuninaga in the Goshuincho and comfort him, his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at it and discovered that it was Maki Hojo calling.

"Hello, teacher, what's up?" he asked Hojo Maki as he answered the phone.

Hojo Maki seemed surprised that he answered so quickly. She was silent for a moment on the phone before saying somewhat flusteredly, "No, it's nothing."

Morikawa Yu, of course, did not believe her.

He had just met Hojo Takehiro, and she hadn't come to the dojo today.

If someone calls at this time, it's definitely because they need something but are too embarrassed to say it.

He waited, and finally heard Maki Hojo say, "Okay, actually there are some things too."

“My dad wanted to meet you and asked me for help, but I refused.”

"But after thinking about it, I still want to help him."

"Do you have time tomorrow?"

On the other end of the phone, Maki Hojo sat on the edge of her bed, her expression somewhat conflicted.

This morning, after returning from the Metropolitan Police Department, she was troubled by what Hojo Takehiro had said.

Although she refused decisively in her father's office, she had actually hesitated for a long time.

She didn't want Morikawa to think she was taking advantage of his kindness, but her father had always been really good to her.

She felt bad about just leaving it like this.

After thinking about it for a long time, she finally decided to talk to Morikawa about it.

If Morikawa agrees, that would be even better.

If you disagree, then respect Morikawa's idea and then talk to your father about it.

She was waiting for Morikawa Yu's answer when she suddenly paused.

She clearly heard Morikawa Yu's slightly teasing reply.

"Oh, I see. I'm not sure if I'll have time tomorrow, but I've already met with Mr. Hojo."

"Eh, you've already met them?"

“Yes,” Morikawa Yu replied, and Hojo Maki was once again caught in a dilemma.

She knew her father's true character beneath his serious exterior, but she never expected him to act so quickly.

"...So what do you think of him?"

"Probably a very serious person?" Morikawa Yu thought for a moment about Hojo Takehiro's appearance and answered tentatively.

Although he felt that Hojo Takehiro didn't seem that serious, he couldn't say it directly in front of Hojo Maki on the phone.

"..."

Maki Hojo remained silent for a moment.

Seriously... that's what everyone who meets their father for the first time thinks.

But only his family knows his true nature beneath his serious exterior.

"So how are things going between you two?" she continued to ask, but she didn't hear Morikawa Yu's reply.